Roof ventilators



Jan. 15, 1963 INVENTORI? LESTER I... SMITH K E RANDALL FRAN BY 14 127, X90054), 6w 2 ATTORNEYE Jam 15 1963 L. L. SMITH ETA].

ROOF VENTILATORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1959 INVENTORS LESTER L. SMDTH FRANK E. RANDALL.

ATTOR N EYS Jan. 15, 1963 L. L. SMITH ETAL ROOF VENTILATORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F|q.7

Filed Feb. 26, 1959 INVENTORS LESTER L. SMITH FRANK a. RANDALL ATTORNEYS Jan. 15, 1963 L. L. SMITH EIAL 3,073,235

' ROOF VENTILATORS Fl q. I5

I05 44a I02 INVENTOR. LESTER L SMITH BY FRANK E. RANDALL m zfimjwwwyfiw ATTORN EYS Jan. 15, 1963 SMITH 3,073,235

ROOF VENTILATORS Filed Feb. 26, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 him. I

INVENTORS LESTER L. SMITH FRANK E. RANDALL ATTORNEYS 3,073,235 Patented Jan. 15, 1963 ,lic

3,073,235 ROQF VENTILATORS Lester L. Smith, Peoria, and Frank E. Randall, Peoria Heights, llh; said Randall assignor to said Smith Fiied Feb. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 795,863 13 Ciaims. (Cl. 98-32) This invention relates to roof ventilators, and more particularly to effective, efficient and relatively inexpensive ventilators affording good weather protection and adapted to the ventilation of the space immediately below the roof of a building.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide roof ventilating structure including a part made of formed sheet metal and adapted to extend along the ridge of a roof, said part being relatively low and wide in sectional shape and providing air flow spaces at various portions of the section which are proportioned to afford uniformity of air flow capacity in the various portions.

Another object of our invention is to provide roof ventilating structure embodying a louvered surface which is sheltered from Weather and wherein the louvers and ventilator surfaces are arranged and disposed to effect a plurality of directed and relatively abrupt changes in the direction of movement of air as it passes into and through the structure, thereby to effect the removal of moisture from the air as it passes therethrough.

Our invention further comprehends the provision of a structure for ventilating the space immediately below a roof and which embodies a louvered area facing downwardly in a position sheltered from rain and snow, and which parts are arranged for effecting the drainage through the louver openings of moisture carried into the structure by the air or which may condense therein.

It is another object of this invention to provide roof ventilating structure of relatively small lateral section and produced in len ths of formed sheet metal mountable in end-to-end or overlapping relationship to extend along the length of a roof, and which structure incorporates means for adjoining the formed sheet metal lengths in a manner to allow expansion or contraction thereof as a result of temperature change without altering the ventilation or weather protection afforded by the structure, as well as providing rigidity and internal support to the sheet metal parts.

Our invention has within its purview the provision of roof ventilating structure adapted to extend longitudinally of portions of the roof and having effective and easily installed parts for closing the ends of the structure.

As another object, this invention comprehends the pro vision of inconspicuous roof ventilatingstructure mountable externally of the ridge and caves of a roof to extend longitudinally thereof, and which constitute sheet metal sections deformable to fit various roof pitches without unduly limiting the ventilating capacity or efficiency of the structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide roof ventilating structure embodying means for effecting drippage of moisture at preselected positions on the structure.

This invention has for another object the provision of a roof ventilator structure having a surface provided with a multiplicity of small integrally formed louvers which, by virtue of size and arrangement serve as insect traps, as well as to provide weather protection.

It is another object of this invention to provide a roof ventilator structure wherein a multiplicity of relatively small and short louvers are integrally formed and wherein the structure, arrangement and distribution of the louvers not only affords weather and insect protection, but aiso provides adequate strength and rigidity in the louvered portion of the structure.

Our invention further has Within its purview the provision of a roof ventilator structure embodying plugs of a relatively flexible and somewhat resilient material conformed to the sectional shape of metal ventilator sections and which serve to close the ends of the metal sections, provide joints between adjacent sections and to act as form blocks for maintaining predetermined shapes and slopes of parts of the ventilator structure.

This invention further comprehends the provision of a roof ventilator structure adapted to fabrication from a plurality of strips of sheet metal and wherein weatherproof 'joints are provided for adjoining the parts fabricated from the strips.

Our invention also contemplates the provision of roof ventilator structures fabricated from a plurality of strips of sheet metal adjoined through joints providing flexibility for adjusting the ventilator to suit various roof pitches.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view depicting the exterior of a roof of a building to which a preferred embodiment of our roofventilating structure has been applied;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, in perspective, of parts of a roof ridge ventilator of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 and which embodies a preferred form of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end sectional view in perspective, depicting the application of a preferred embodiment of our roof ridge ventilator to a roof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end sectional view in perspective, showing the adaptation of a preferred embodiment of our eave ventilator to the roof of a building;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the exterior of our cave ventilator;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a sheet metal strip having louvered vent openings punched therein and from which a roof ridge ventilator of the type depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may be formed as an integral sheet metal section;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to PEG. 6, but illustrating a modification of the arrangement and spacing of the lou'vered vent openings;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view drawn to a larger scale than FIG. 6 and illustrating the arrangement of louverecl vent openings which is depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end sectional view of a roof ridge ventilator embodying the arrangement of louvered openings which is depicted in FIGS. 6 and 8;

FIG. 10' is a fragmentary plan view, similar to FIG. 8, showing in greater detail the modified arrangement of louvers which is illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary end sectional view showing the adaptation of the louver arrangement of FIG. 10 to one form of our ventilator;

hinge connections provide for movements of the structural parts to positions suited to difiierent roof pitches without effecting distortion or displacement of other parts of the structure;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary end elevational view providingan enlarged detailed view of one of the weatherproof integrally formed hinge connections utilized in the structure of FIG. 14;

FIG. '16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 and depicting another modification of the roof ridge ventilator incorporating weatherproof integrally formed hinge connections disposed at positions different from those illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 16 and illustrating a detail of that structure;

FIG. 18 is an end elevational view of another modification of our roof ridge ventilator wherein movable weatherproof connections between parts of the structure are somewhat different than'those illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16, but serve similar purposes;

' FIG. 19 is a fragmentary end elevational view drawn to a larger scale than FIG. 18 and showing a detail of that structure;

' FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a preferred type of part adapted to use for closing the ends of a roof ridge ventilator of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; and FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 are respectively end elevational, side elevational and perspective views of a modified type end closure adapted to fabrication from sheet metal for use with roof ridge ventilators of the type shown in FIGS. 1,2 and 3.

In the exemplary embodiments of this invention which are shown in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, our roof ventilating structure embodies the roof ridge ventilator 25 and an eave ventilator 26 which, in addition to having, many similar structural characteristics provide structural ventilating units or assemblies which can be readily adapted and applied to a building to afford very effective and eflicient ventilation of the space adjacent the roof of the building. In addition to being inconspicuous and relatively inexpensive, the distribution of the ventilating parts longitudinally of the roof affords relatively large and evenly distributed ventilating areas that quite fully cover the space to be ventilated. Furthermore, the placement of the ventilating parts is such that the volume of air moving therethrough is elfectively utilized for ventilating purposes. Also, the disclosed ventilator structures, provide the desired ventilation along with good weather protection.

Considered generally, the roof ridge ventilator .25, as

shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is adapted to extend longitudinally along the full length of the ridge of a building roof such as 27, to replace the usual ridge row of shingles. As depicted in FIG. 3, one conventional type of roof structure which is in quite general use embodies rafters 28 which support roof sheathing 29. At the ridge of the roof, an air flow slot or passage 30 is provided between the sheathing boards on the opposite sidesof the roof ridge. The exterior surface of the roof sheathing is covered and weatherproofed by roofing material, such as shingles 32, secured thereto and extending from positions adjacent the opposite sides of the air flow passage 30 to the outer edges of the roof, as well as along the full length of the roof. As will be more fully described, the roof ridge ventilator has portions which overlie the rows of shingles on opposite sides of the air flow passage and the ventilator provides a covering for the air flow passage.

Along the outer edges of the roof, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the eave ventilators 26 extend longitudinally of the roof. In the building structure, air flow passages are provided along the outer edges of the roof between the sheathing 29 and the top edges of facer boards, such as 33. This .air flow passage is covered laterally of the building structure by the eave ventilators 26.

Both the roof ridge ventilator 25 and the cave ventilator 2.6, in the disclosed roof ventilating structure, are formed sheet metal sections made in lengths which can be put together in end-to-end relationship or cut, if necessary to extend the full length of the building roof. The opposite ends of the ridge and eave ventilators are closed by suitable means. In our preferred structure of the ridge ventilator, plug-type closure elements 34 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 20) are utilized, although sheet metal caps 35 of the type shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 may be utilized for this purpose. For closing the ends of the eave ventilator 26, we utilize plug-type closure elements 36 of the kind depicted in FIG. 5. If the roof is sufiiciently long to require more than one length of either the roof or eave ventilator, such lengths are abutted or lapped together in end-to-end relationship and suitably weatherproofed at the joint. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plug-type insert 37 which is desirably somewhat longer than the end closure elements 34 is pressed into the adjacent ends of the abutted sections to hold those ends in aligned relationship to one another and provide a base for maintaining the shape and rigidity of the ventilator. Cover elements 38 of a proper size to fit over the abutted lengths may be utilized to further protect and weatherproof the joints.

Considering the structure of the disclosed roof ridge ventilator in greater detail, as depicted herein, it includes top portions 39 and 40 in obtuse angular relationship to one another and bent along a central longitudinal ridge line to provide that obtuse angular relationship between the portions. On opposite sides of a vertical center plane extending along the ridge line bend between the top portions 39 and 40 of the ridge ventilators 25, the sectional shape of the ventilator is substantially symmetrical and the structures of the opposite side portions of the ventilator are substantially the same, although opposite. At the outer edges of the top portions 39 and 40, outer side walls 42 and 43 extend downwardly therefrom. Panels 44 and 45 extend inwardly from the outer side walls 42 and 43 in opposed relationship to one another and in spaced and opposed relationship to the top portions 39 and 40 respectively. From the inner edges of the panels 44 and 45, inner side walls 4 6 and 47 extend downwardly in spaced and opposed relationship to one another. These inner side walls 46 and 47 define an air flow passage 48 which, when the ventilator is mounted on a roof, is aligned with the slot or passage 3% between the sheathing on the two sides of the roof. Integral flashing portions 49 and 50 extend outwardly and downwardly and are adapted to overlie the shingles adjacent the ridge on the two sides of the roof. In our disclosed structure, the flashing portions 49 and 50 have marginal flanges 52 and 53 which are offset and substantially parallel to the inner portions of the flashing portions to provide nailing strips and to aflord conformity to the surfaces of overlapping shingles without effecting distortions of the flashing portions when they are secured in place.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, vent openings 54 are provided in the panels 44 and 45. As herein depicted and to provide the required weather protection in such a ventilator, the panels 44 and 45 are punched to provide the vent openings 54 and also to provide integrally formed louvers 55 which overlie each of the vent openings. In order that the louvers 55 will afford the maximum weather protection on each side of the ventilator,

they slope upwardly and outwardly from the panels 44 and 45, so that their openings face toward the outer side walls 42 and 43 of the ventilator.

With this arrangement of vent openings and louvers, air entering the ventilator from the spaces between the flashing portions and the panels on the sides of the ventilator is directed against the louver surfaces, and is to be directed outwardly toward the outer side walls, from whence the direction of flow is again reversed by the outer side walls and top portions of the ventilator to direct the air back to the flow passage between the inner side walls as and 47. This reversal of the direction of the flow of air as it enters and passes through the ventilator very materially aids in removing moisture from the air.

In the disclosed ridge ventilator, the parts of the ventilator are proportioned and disposed to afford a low silhouette which tends to improve the weather protection of the ventilator as well as to provide a Ventilator which is relatively inconspicuous when mounted on the ridge of a building roof. Furthermore, the various portions of the ventilator section are spaced and proportioned to balance the air flow capacity through the various parts of the ventilator structure. That is, the spaces between the panels and the opposed flashing portions are sufiieient to at least equal the air flow capacity of the vent openings. Likewise the space within the ventilator between the panels and the top portions are proportioned to equal the air flow capacity of the vent openings. The air flow capacity of the flow passage 48 between the inner side walls 46 and i7 is suificient to equal that of both side portions of the ventilator. Thus, it may be readily understood that when the ventilator is mounted on a roof, the slot or how passage 39 between the portions of the sheathing on the opposite sides of the roof must be at least equal in width to the space between the inner side walls 46 and 47 of the ventilator.

Since the louvers somewhat restrict the flow of air into the ventilator, the panels as and 45 must necessarily be wider than the air flow spaces above and below the panel in order to provide equivalent air flow capacities.

Furthermore, since the space between the inner side walls as and 4-7 from which the panels extend outwardly must be suflicient to afford air flow capacity at least equal to that of both sides of the ventilator, the resultant proportions of the ventilator provide a sectional shape in which the height of the ventilator is less than half its width. By similar reasoning, it also follows that the width of each panel is greater than the necessary width of the air flow passage between the inner side Walls 46 and 47.

In order to avoid the necessity of screening the vent openings to keep out insects, the Vent and louver openings are desirably kept smaller. Furthermore, to obtain the maximum air flow capacity from a given panel area without unduly impairing the strength and rigidity of the panel portion of the ventilator, the vent openings and louvers are arranged to provide close spacing, as well as adequate intervening material for imparting strength to the structure. As depicted in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 the vent openings and their covering louvers are arranged in rows 7 extending both longitudinally and laterally of the ventilator panels. This arrangement minimizes the required space between the vent openings and louvers of the lateral rows and requires only relatively small spaces between the vent openings and louvers of those lateral rows. Although providing somewhat less air flow capacity per unit of area of the panels, the vent opening and louver arrangement of FlGS. 7, l0 and 11 affords somewhat better weather protection than that illustrated in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. In the arrangement of FIGS. 7, l0 and 11, the vent openings and louvers are arranged in rows extending longitudinally of the panels and alternate vent openings and louvers are arranged in rows laterally of the panels, so that the vent openings and louvers of alternate longitudinal rows are in staggered and overlapping relationship to one another. With this latter structure, the individual vent openings and louvers must be more widely spaced laterally of the panels in order to provide for sufiicient intervening metal to afford the adequate strength and rigidity in the structure.

As a further consideration in providing adequate strength and rigidity in the vented panel portions of the ventilator, as well as keeping the vent openings small and affording adequate air flow capacity, it is desirable that the vent openings and louvers of the lateral rows shall be relatively short. That is, in a ridge ventilator of the type adapted to use on houses, wherein the panels are approximately two inches wide, it is desirable that with the arrangements of vent openings and louvers herein illustrated, the openings and louvers shall be no longer than about two inches. In our preferred structure of the type disclosed, the individual vent openings and louvers are approximately one inch long and the spaces between adjacent lateral rows in the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, is approximately one-eighth of an inch. It follows, of course, that as the lengths of the louvers and vent openings are'increased in a structure, the spaces between adjacent rows of louvers must also be increased to afford adequate strength and rigidity. That is, with vent openings and louvers two inches long, the spaces between adjacent rows have to be increased to approximately onehalf inch.

In a ridge ventilator of the type herein disclosed, in order to provide adequate air flow spaced below the louvered panels, exteriorly of the ventilator, particularly for roofs having low pitch angles, the panels 44 and 45 are desirably almost horizontal in their lateral disposition.

However, in order to provide for the drainage of moisture from the interior of the ventilator and to prevent such moisture from ultimately being carried into the air flow space 30 between the inner sidewalls 46 and 47, the panels slope downwardly somewhat toward the outside, as indicated by the angle a in FIG. 9. An angle of approximately three degrees has been found to be quite satisfactory for effectingthe desired moisture drainage characteristics.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, and as an added precaution against having moisture carried into the air flow passage between the inner side Walls 46 and 47, barriers 56 and 57 extending into the ventilator from the top portions 39 and 40 respectively at positions vertically between the inner longitudinal rows of louvers and the inner side walls 46 and 47 may be provided. Such barriers do not project into the ventilator an amount sufiicient to materially limit the air flow space, but provide an edge from which moisture, such as condensed moisture within the ventilator, will drip onto the panels therebelow and then drain from the ventilator through the vent openings. In the form depicted in FIG. 3, the barriers are provided by internal beads formed integrally in the top portions 39 and do of the ventilator and extending longitudinally thereof.

At the opposite ends of a normally produced length of the ventilator, spaces greater than those utilized between adjacent louvers of the longitudinal rows are provided to allow for the overlapping or insertion of one of the dis closed types of and closure elements. In the form depicted in FIGS. 2 and 20, the plug-type end closure unit constitutes a shaped body of a relatively stiff and somewhat flexible, compressible and resilient material, such as a molded plastic or rubber-type material which, in section, conforms to the interior sectional shape of the end of the ridge ventilator 25. The plug-type closure element 34 includes a head portion 53 of substantial thickness which has surfaces which fit snugly against the inner surfaces of the top portions 39 and 40, the outer side walls 42. and 43 and the panels 44 and 45 of the ridge ventilator. Below the head portion, the closure element includes a neck portion 59 which fits snugly between the inner side walls 46 and 47 of the ventilator to close the end of the ficient body and rigidity to aid in stiffening and maintaining the shape of the sheet metal of the ventilator, below the neck portion 59 and extending outwardly from the lower side portions of opposite sides of the neck portion are relatively thin and flexible flanges 60 and 62 which are normally disposedin opposed angular relationship to one another and which are adapted to extend under end marginal portions of the flashing portions 49 and 58' of the ventilator, between those flashing portions and the top rows of shingles on eachside of the roof, to provide an end sealing gasket between the ventilator and the shingled roof.

For connecting lengths of the roof ventilator in end-toend relationships on a building which is too long for a single length, the plug-type insert 37 is utilized. This insert has a head portion 58a, a neck portion 59a and flanges 68a and 62a which conform in sectional shape and function to the parts 58, 59, 60 and 62 of the closure element 34. However, the insert 37 is approximately twice as long as the closure elements 34 and fits into the adjacent ends of the aligned ventilator sections which are connected thereby.

In the disclosed structural assembly, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover elements 38 are utilized to cover the adjacent ends of the connected ventilator sections which are joined and rigidified by the plug type connectors 37. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each cover element 38 conforms to the external sectional shape of the joined ventilators 25. Thus, each cover element 38 includes top portions 63 and 64, outer side wall portions 65 and 66, panel portions 67 and 68, inner side wall portions 69 and 70 and flashing portions 72 and 73 which are respectively dimensioned to fit snugly over the top portions 39 and 40, outer side walls 42 and 43, panels 44 and 45, inner side walls 46 and 47 and the flashing portions 49 and 50 of the adjoined ventilator sections, while overlapping end portions of those adjoined sections.

Caps 35, FIG. 23,"rnay, if desired, be used to close the ends of the ridge ventilators instead of the plug-type closure elements 34. These end caps, like the other ventilator par-ts, may be made of sheet metal, fiber glass, plastic or suitable formable or moldable material, and include an end cover plate portion74 having top flanges 75 and 76 thereon which are disposed to fit snugly'over external marginal portions of the top portions 39 and 40 of the ventilator. At opposite sides of the top portion 74, side flanges 77 and 78 are provided to fit snugly over end marginal portions of the outer side walls 42 and 43v of the ventilator. In the form illustrated, the flanges 75, 76, 77 and 78 are integral with the top portion 74 of the cap and are made by folding precut tabs 75a, 76a, 77a and 78a into right angular relationship'to the top portion 74. Below the top portion, a skirt 79 extends downwardly to overlie a trim strip, such as that shown at 80 in FIG. 1,

and cover the space between the inner side wall-s 46 and 47, as well as the ends of the spaces between the panels I and flashing portions at opposite sides of the ventilator.

Flanged pieces 82 and 83 are secured to the inner surfaces of the skirt 79 and have top flanges 84 and 85 thereon which fit internally of the panels 44 and 45 of the ventilator. Also, end flanges 86 and 87 are provided which fit internally of the inner side walls- 46 and 47 of the ven-' tilator.

The ventilators 26, which are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4,

and 11 have many points of similarity to one half or side of the described roof ridge ventilator. That is, each eave ventilator includes a top portion 86 having an intethe outer side wall'in spaced and opposed relationship to the top portion 86. Also, an integral flange 8? extends downwardly from the inner edge of the panel 88. When mounted on a building as shown in FIGS. 4 and S, a marginal portion of the top portion 86 overlies the outer margin of the top of the roof sheathing 29, and substantially theentire top portion of the cave ventilator is overlapped by the bottom row of shingles. The outer side wall 87 spaces the top portion 86 from the panel portion 88 to provide space for the fiow of air through a space 9-8- between the lower surface of the roof sheathing and the top of the side wall structure of the building. The flange 89 may be disposed for securernent against either the inner or outer surface of the facer board 33, and in the structure illustrated in FIG. 4, extends downwardly along the inner surface of the facer board.

As in the ridge ventilator 2.5, vent openings 54 are provided in the panel 88 and are protected or covered by louvers 55 which project upwardly and outwardly toward the outer side wall 87 from the panel 88. Thus, as in the ridge ventilator, the vent openings 54 in the panel 88 of the cave ventilator are protected and sheltered by the top portion 88, and the disposition of the louvers affords additional weather protection for the outward deflection of driving rain and snow. Furthermore, the space between the top portion 86 and the panel 88 provides air flow capacity at least equal to that afforded by the vent openings and the openings between the respective louvers and the panel. It follows, of course, that the space 98 in the building structure should also afford ample and at least equal air flow capacity to that of the vent openings and louver openings; As in the instance of the ridge ventilator, the panel slopes downwardly toward the outside from the horizontal, as indicated by an angle shown in FIG. 11, to provide for the drainage of moisture toward the vent openings 54 and. away from the interior of the building. An angle of approximately 3 is satisfactory for effecting the desired result.

At the end, the cave ventilator is closed by the plugtype closure element 36 which has a top surface 92, an outer end surface 93 and a bottom surface 94 which are conformed and disposed to fit snugly into the end of the cave ventilator against the inner surfaces of the top portions 86, the outer side wall 87 and the panel 94 respectively of the ventilator. The plug-type insert 36 also has an end surface 95 which fits snugly against outer surface portions of the sheathing 29 and the adjacent rafter 28 effectively to close the end opening of the ventilator. The plug-type closure element 36 is made of a material similar to that utilized for the formerly described plug-type elements 34, and has a thickness sufiicient to be stable and firmly held in position within the end of the eave ventilator. For adjoining adjacent ends of sections or lengths of the cave ventilator along one side of the building, plugtype elements of the same shape and of greater length are utilized, as with the roof ridge ventilator.

As shown in FIG. 4, a barrier which projects downwardly from the top portion 86 of the cave ventilator at a position inwardly of the inner row of louvers and outwardly of the inner edge of the panel and extending longitudinally of the ventilator is provided to effect the dripping of moisture from the interior of the top portion at a position from which it will be drained to the exterior of the building from the vent openings. In the disclosed structure, the barrier is provided by a bead formed integrally on the inner surface of the top portion 86. Also to prevent moisture from following the outer surface of the panel 88 to the interior of the wall structure, a similar barrier 96 projects downwardly and extends longitudinally of the exterior surface of the panel 88. This barrier is also in the form of an integral bead in the disclosed structure and is located between the inner longitudinal row of vent openings and the flange 89; the space between the barrier 96 and the flange 89' being adequate 9 to accommodate a facer board when the flange 89 is mounted internally of the facer board.

For particular adaptation to buildings on which the roof is weatherproofed by laminated layers including roofing compound which are commonly known as builtup roofs and which after application, may be covered with a layer of gravel or other such material, an upwardly projecting barrier 97, FIG. 11, is provided at the outer edge of the top portion 86 adjacent the outer wall 87, as shown in FIG. 11. This barrier serves to provide a stop and to provide an edge which gives the roof a neat and trim appearance.

The roof and cave ventilators thus far described have been made from a single strip of sheet metal, fiber glass, plastic or suitable formable or moldable material having longitudinally extending bends or corners between the portions thereof. In the production of such ventilators from a single strip of sheet metal stock, it is desirable to punch the vent openings and form the louvers adjacent thereto, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, before making the bends which define the sectional contour 'of the ventilator. In determining the sectional dimensions and the roof ridge angle of the ventilator, the parts are proportioned to provide for the air flow capacity, weather and insect protection, drainage and the like, as hereinbefore discussed, together with the low profile or silhouette. The flashing portions assume an angle from which they can be bent to suit the pitches of various roofs without materially deforming or altering the relative positions of the other parts of the ventilator.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate one form of structure by which the roof ridge ventilator may be produced from two strips of sheet metal stock, instead of one. Except for the top portions 39a and sea, the other portions of the ridge ventilator depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 are the same as those which have already been illustrated and described, and reference numerals similar to those previously used refer to like parts which function in a similar manner. In general, separately fabricated side portions of the ridge ventilator illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 are formed to provide a joint 97 embodying interlocking parts, which joint extends along the ridge at the top of the ventilator.

The joint 97, as herein disclosed, includes a return bent marginal portion 98 on the top portion 411a which overlaps and interlocks with a return bent marginal portion 99 on the top portion 3%. Also, a marginal portion 101) of the top portion 3% is offset from the plane of the remainder of the top portion, so that the exterior surfaces of the adjoined parts are in substantial alignment. The ridge bend extends along the mid-portion of the adjoined and interlocked parts to aid in holding those parts together in their assembled relationship.

In FIGS. 14 to 19 inclusive, the ridge ventilator structures there depicted are each fabricated from a plurality of parts, and hinge connections are provided between the parts to afford limited flexibility. In each of the illustrated structures,.structura1 portions bearing reference numerals similar to those previously described are substantialiy alike in structure and purpose.

In the ridge ventilator shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, hinge connections tea and 103 are provided respectfully at the junctures of the panel 14a and the inner side wall 46a and between the panel a and the near side wall 47a. In order to provide weatherproof joints between the portions at the hinge connections and to effect the formation of the hinge connections as integral parts of the structural portions which can be put together after the structural portions are formed, each hinge connection includes interfitting arcuately formed margins of the adjoined structural portions. On the two sides of the ventilator, the formations of the marginal portions of the structural parts are alike and opposed. As shown in FIG. 15, the inner margin of the panel 44a is arcuately curved through an arc of more than 180 to provide a hinge section 104 which extends longitudinally of the panel. A marginal portion of the inner side wall 4% is arcuately curved through an are greater than that of the hinge section 104 to provide a hinge section 1615. The radius ofthe hinge section 1% is selected to afford a snug fit between the exterior of the hinge section 1135 and the interior of the hinge section 104. With this arrangement of parts, the flashing portions 49 and 51 are movable angularly relative to the panels 44a and 45a to accommodate various roof pitch angles.

In the ridge ventilator illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, hinge connections 106 and 1417 are provided between parts of theouter wall portions 42a and 43a. As in the structure illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the hinge connections 106 and 167 are alike in structure and opposite in curvature. As shown in FIG. 17, the upper part of the outer wall portion 42a has thereon an outwardly projecting portion 168 which is formed toprovide an arcuately curved section Hi9 which extends through an arc of more than 180. The lower portion of the side wall has an arcuately curved portion 11%) thereon which extends through an angle greater than the curved section '109. The radius of the curved portion 110 is such that the exterior surface fits snugly into the interior of the arcuately curved section 1119. These curved portions which providethe hinge connections 1% extend longitudinally of the side walls of the ventilator to provide weatherproof joints between the parts and to provide for relative movements of the ventilator portions on opposite sides of the hinge connections.

In the ridge ventilator depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, hinge connections 112 and 113 are provided between outer marginal portions of the top portions 3% and 48b and the upper portions of outer side walls 42b and 4315. As shown in FIG. 19, each hinge connection includes an arcuately curved portion 114 having an extent of more than 180 and extending longitudinally of the outer margin of the top portion. The upper margin of the outer side Wall 421) is arcuately formed to have an angular extent greater than that of the arcuately curved portion 114 and to provide an arcuate section 115 extending along that side wall which has a radius such that its outer surface fits snugly into that of the arcuate portion 114. This structure provides a weatherproof joint and affords flexibility for limited angular movement between the parts on opposite sides of the/hinge connection.

While we have illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and we do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a roof ventilating structure, a section comprising a top sloping downwardly with reference to the horizontal from one side to the otherthereof, an outer side wall ex tending downwardly from the lower side of the top, a panel extending inwardly from the bottom of the outer side wall inspaced and opposed relationship to the top and terminating outwardly of the higher side of the top, an inner side wall extending downwardly from the side of the panel opposite the outer side wall, said panel having openings therein and a plurality of louvers extending upwardly over said openings from the inner sur face thereof which faces the top and opening toward the outer side wall, said panel sloping downwardly from the inner side wall toward said openings to eifect drainage of moisture through the openings, a flashing portion extending outwardly from the inner side wall in spaced and opposed relationship .to said panel, a molded plug type end closing means having a shape and size conforming to the internal sectional shape and size of the structure and having an outwardly projecting flexible gasket flange on .formed part adapted to normal production in lengths much greater than its lateral dimensions for mounting to extend longitudinally of a roof and having a sectional contour defined by integral angularly disposed portions extending longitudinally thereof, said part comprising a top having portions extending laterally and downwardly froma longitudinal ridge in obtuse angular relationship to one another and in substantially symmetrical relationship to a central plane passing through said ridge, relatively narrow outer side walls adjoined to opposite sides of said portions of the top remote fromthe ridge and extending downwardly therefrom in angular relationship thereto, generally planar panels narrower. than said portions of the top and adjoined to the bottomsof the outer side walls, said panels extending inwardly toward one another from the outer side walls in spaced and opposed relationship to said portions of the top and facing downwardly on the outside of the ventilating structure, inner side walls adjoined to and extending downwardly from adjacent and spaced apart inner edges of the panels, said inner side walls defining an open throat for the flow of air and having an air flow capacity at least equal to that of the spaces between both panels and said portions of the top, side flashing portions adjoined to and extending laterally from the bottoms of the inner side walls, said panels having a plurality of relatively small ventilating openings therein with integral louvers extending upwardly from the panels in acute angular relationship to the plane of the panel and over each of said openings, and said louvers in each panel also extending angularly toward the adjacent outer side wall. a

3. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 2, the combination being further characterized by means for closing an end of said integrally formed part, said means comprising a molded plug of relatively flexible and resilient non-metallic material forming a closure wall of substantial thickness and having a shape and size to fit snugly into the interior of an end region of said integrally formed part with surfaces in contact with said portions of the top, said outer side walls, said panels, said inner side walls and said side flashingportions.

4. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 3, said means for closing the end of said integrally formed part having a length longitudinally of the part for efiecting firm engagement of one end portion thereof within said part' while another end portion of approximately equal length projects from the end of said part for insertion in another like part to provide a connection between the parts, and the combination being further characterized by a formed metal cap bridging the ends of adjoined parts and conforming to and engaging end marginal portions of the tops, outer side walls, panels, inner side walls and side flashing portions of the adjoined parts.

5. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 3, said side fiashing'portions each having longitudinally extending inner and outer portions offset from one another vertically of the ventilating structure so that said inner portion is at a level above that of the outer portion, and said surfaces of the molded plug which engage the side flashing portions each underlying only said inner portion of the side flashing portion to serve as a sealing gasket.

6. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 2, the combination being further characterized by each of said portions of the top having thereon and extending longitudinally thereof means which projects into the ventilating structure at a position directly above the adjacent and opposed panel to provide a relatively narrow barrier wall having a free edge facing the panel and from which con denscd moisture will drip onto the panel.

7. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 6, said means which extends into the ventilating structure com- 12 prising a bead integrally formed in the portion of the top from which it projects.

8. In a ventilating structure of long and relatively narrow form integrally fabricated of sheet material for mounting to extend longitudinally of a roof, the combination comprising a top having inner and outer marginal portions extending longitudinally of the structure at height levels such that the outer marginal portion is below the inner marginal portion thereof, a side wall integral with the top and extending downwardly at an angle to the top along the outer marginal portion thereof, a generally planar panel integral with the side wall and extending inwardly from the bottom thereof in spaced and opposed relationship to the top so as to be overhung by the top, said panel having therein a plurality of relatively small openings which are separated from one another both longitudinally and laterally of the structure and which are relatively narrow laterally of the structure, and said panel portion also having thereon an integrally formed louver extending into the ventilating structure over each of said openings in acute angular relationship to the plane of the panel and upwardly toward the top as well as outwardly toward the side wall of the structure.

9. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 8, the combination being further characterized by means for closing an end of said ventilating; structure, said means comprising a molded plug of relatively flexible and resilient non-metallic material forming a closure wall of substantial thickness and having a shape and size to fit snugly into the interior of an end region of said ventilating structure with surfaces in contact with said top, said side wall and said panel.

10. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 9, said means for closing an end of said ventilating structure having a length longitudinally of the structure for effecting firm engagement of one end portion thereof within one length of said structure while another end portion of said means projects from said one length of the structure for efiecting firm engagement within another length of like ventilating structure.

11. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 8, the combination being further characterized by said top having thereon and extending longitudinally thereof means in the form ofan integral'double thickness bead which projects into the ventilating structure at a position directly above said panel to provide a relatively narrow barrier wall having a free bottom edge facing the panel and from which moisture will drip onto the panel.

12. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 8, the combination being further characterized by means providing a narrow, bead-type barrier projecting downwardly from and extending longitudinally of the lower surface of said panel at a position between said openings and the edge of said panel which is remote from said side wall of the ventilating structure.

13. In a ventilating structure as defined in claim 8, the combination being further characterized by means providing a narrow, integrally formed barrier bead projecting upwardly from and extending longitudinally of said top of the ventilating structure adjacent and laterally inward of the ventilator with respect tosaid side wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 134,337 Cutshall Nov. 17, 1942 183,532 Brock Oct. 24, 1876 313,852 Cortright Mar. 17, 1885 503,941 Brooks Aug. 29, 1893 509,593 Brown Nov. 28, 1893 509,947 Reynolds Dec. 5, 1893 595,960 May Dec. 21, 1897 835,966 Lyster Nov. 13, 1906 873,920 Burriss Dec. 17, 1907 (Other references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Moyer Jan. 19, 1909 Norman Mar. 17, 1914 Redrnon Sept. 12, 1916 Sylvan Dec. 27, 1921 Respess Mar. 20, 1923 Kimball Feb. 21, 1928 Audet June 17, 1930 Ferris Oct. 2, 1934 Oshei Aug. 13, 1940 Peck Oct. 10, 1944 Werner May 17, 1949 McCullough Oct. 16, 1951 14 Hersperger Nov. 17, 1953 Bell Aug. 3, 1954 Bonforte Mar. 22, 1955 Frisby Sopt. 20, 1955 Carlton Feb. 28, 1956 Noyes et a1 Jan. 15, 1957 Coleman Aug. 20, 1957 Honholt et a1 Ian. 13, 1959 Katt et a1 Oct. 4, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES Champion Catalogue #56, fee. Oct. 1, 1955, page 

1. IN A ROOF VENTILATING STRUCTURE, A SECTION COMPRISING A TOP SLOPING DOWNWARDLY WITH REFERENCE TO THE HORIZONTAL FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER THEREOF, AND OUTER SIDE WALL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE LOWER SIDE OF THE TOP, A PANEL EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE OUTER SIDE WALL IN SPACED AND OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO THE TOP AND TERMINATING OUTWARDLY OF THE HIGHER SIDE OF THE TOP, AN INNER SIDE WALL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE SIDE OF THE PANEL OPPOSITE THE OUTER SIDE WALL, SAID PANEL HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN AND A PLURALITY OF LOUVERS EXTENDING UPWARDLY OVER SAID OPENING FROM THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF WHICH FACES THE TOP AND OPENING TOWARD THE OUTER SIDE WALL, SAID PANEL SLOPING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE INNER SIDE WALL TOWARD SAID OPENINGS TO EFFECT DRAINAGE OF MOISTURE THROUGH THE OPENINGS, A FLASHING PORTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE INNER SIDE WALL IN SPACED AND OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID PANEL, A MOLDED PLUG TYPE END CLOSING MEANS HAVING A SHAPE AND SIZE CONFORMING TO THE INTERNAL SECTIONAL SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE STRUCTURE AND HAVING AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING FLEXIBLE GASKET FLANGE ON THE LOWER PART THEREOF, AND SAID FLASHING PORTION HAVING PORTIONS IN PLANES OFFSET FROM ONE ANOTHER AND ONE OF WHICH OVERLIES SAID GASKET FLANGE. 